Best apps to compare car insurance quotes
Best apps to compare car insurance quotes
Many car insurance companies provide quotes for their own policies through their mobile apps. But you’ll find far fewer apps for comparing quotes among multiple insurers.
Surprisingly, some of the best websites for comparing car insurance quotes don’t have mobile apps. We couldn’t find apps for The Zebra or Compare.com.
1. Jerry
While Jerry’s desktop comparison tool didn’t make our list of best insurance-comparison sites, its app deserves a look. On Google Play, it has more than 1 million user downloads and a 4.2-star rating from 9,000 user reviews.
Our verdict: Easy to use and helpful features
While the Jerry app may not show you many quotes from well-known companies, its quoting process is smooth and easy. The ability to store digital insurance cards in the app is a plus. As long as you have the Jerry app on your phone, and your phone with you, you’ll always have proof of insurance.
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How the Jerry app works
After downloading the Jerry app, you’ll find the sign-up process is relatively painless. You enter information about your car insurance and claims history, name, and other information. You’ll also need to provide a valid phone number so Jerry can send you a PIN to authorize and complete the sign-up process.
The app can analyze your existing policy and send you a text message if it finds a better, cheaper option. The app typically displays a few policy options and may include national companies, like GEICO and Progressive.
After you’ve bought a policy through Jerry, you’ll be able to store your digital insurance cards in the app.
2. Insurify
Insurify’s robust comparison app is available on the Apple App Store and Google Play. It has 4.4 stars and 29 ratings in the App Store, and more than 10,000 downloads and 4 stars on Google Play. The app allows users to see custom, real-time quotes. It also contains advertising.
Our verdict: Good for shopping, but desktop version has better advice and insight
If you already know what types and levels of coverage you want, the Insurify app is a fast way to compare quotes and buy coverage with your smartphone. You’ll get multiple real-time quotes and can complete your purchase in the app.
However, the app lacks educational content and only gives users two options: Get a quote or call an agent. But if you’re unsure how much car insurance you need, Insurify’s desktop experience provides calculators and educational articles.
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How the Insurify app works
After downloading the app, you’ll complete a short form with basic information to generate a quote. The app provides a list of customized car insurance quotes from multiple insurance companies.
You can set your desired coverage limits to meet or exceed your state’s minimum insurance requirements. You can also compare available deals, and secure coverage, all within the app.
The Insurify app allows you to complete your shopping experience entirely within the app. Or, you can get phone help from a licensed Insurify insurance agent.
3. NerdWallet
Available through Google Play and the Apple App Store, NerdWallet’s app allows you to create a new account or access your existing NerdWallet account. The app has more than 1 million downloads on Google Play, 24,000 reviews, and a 4.7-star user rating.
Our verdict: Stick with the educational and financial tools
Just as with the desktop experience, shopping for car insurance on the NerdWallet mobile app won’t produce any real-time quotes. But it could leave you exposed to spam. However, the app’s financial tools and educational content can be helpful for managing your money.
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How the NerdWallet app works
After downloading the NerdWallet app, you’ll have the option to log into your existing account or create a new one. After you log in, the app gives you multiple options for linking your financial accounts to the app to manage them in one place.
The app also has a marketplace option, and that’s where you’ll find its insurance-shopping experience. However, clicking on the car insurance tile launches NerdWallet’s mobile browsing page for car insurance comparison.
Why it’s more important than ever to compare car insurance quotes
If it seems like you’re paying more for car insurance now, you’re not imagining it. Auto insurance rates rose 24% in 2023. And they're likely to increase another 7% in 2024.
Several inflation- and climate change-related factors are driving the increase, including:
Higher labor costs for repairs
Increasing cost of auto body and mechanical parts
Rising costs for new vehicles
Surging insurer losses due to climate-driven natural disasters
Nearly 62% of Americans reported their car insurance rates increased in 2023. ADrivers tried to cut costs with tactics like raising their deductibles (12.76%), lowering coverage limits (12.31%), or dropping full coverage (5.31%). A concerning 2.87% even canceled all their car insurance, despite the fact that 49 states and Washington, D.C. require drivers to have at least a minimum amount of liability coverage.
Just 10.29% switched insurers. Of all these tactics, switching to a new company after comparing quotes from multiple insurers is the least financially risky.
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With car insurance rates unlikely to fall any time soon, comparing quotes from multiple insurers is more important than ever.
Here’s how average car insurance rates vary by state.
| State | Full Coverage | Liability Only | Total Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $161 | $61 | $111 |
| Arizona | $193 | $93 | $143 |
| Arkansas | $271 | $109 | $190 |
| California | $277 | $135 | $206 |
| Colorado | $215 | $86 | $150 |
| Connecticut | $359 | $203 | $281 |
| Delaware | $211 | $131 | $171 |
| Florida | $290 | $213 | $252 |
| Georgia | $242 | $146 | $194 |
| Hawaii | $116 | $65 | $91 |
| Idaho | $137 | $69 | $103 |
| Illinois | $185 | $79 | $132 |
| Indiana | $141 | $69 | $105 |
| Iowa | $156 | $61 | $108 |
| Kansas | $200 | $80 | $140 |
| Kentucky | $278 | $179 | $228 |
| Louisiana | $298 | $154 | $226 |
| Maine | $175 | $89 | $132 |
| Maryland | $321 | $179 | $250 |
| Massachusetts | $235 | $101 | $168 |
| Michigan | $335 | $180 | $258 |
| Minnesota | $206 | $103 | $155 |
| Mississippi | $205 | $76 | $140 |
| Missouri | $242 | $98 | $170 |
| Montana | $192 | $94 | $143 |
| Nebraska | $222 | $91 | $157 |
| Nevada | $338 | $199 | $269 |
| New Hampshire | $131 | $56 | $93 |
| New Jersey | $218 | $114 | $166 |
| New Mexico | $192 | $69 | $131 |
| New York | $159 | $143 | $151 |
| North Carolina | $105 | $56 | $80 |
| North Dakota | $163 | $88 | $125 |
| Ohio | $157 | $73 | $115 |
| Oklahoma | $198 | $90 | $144 |
| Oregon | $177 | $100 | $138 |
| Pennsylvania | $193 | $93 | $143 |
| Rhode Island | $190 | $149 | $169 |
| South Carolina | $277 | $164 | $221 |
| South Dakota | $177 | $64 | $120 |
| Tennessee | $181 | $78 | $130 |
| Texas | $251 | $119 | $185 |
| Utah | $191 | $102 | $146 |
| Vermont | $155 | $67 | $111 |
| Virginia | $169 | $93 | $131 |
| Washington | $181 | $83 | $132 |
| Washington, D.C. | $189 | $121 | $155 |
| West Virginia | $174 | $73 | $124 |
| Wisconsin | $141 | $61 | $101 |
| Wyoming | $171 | $68 | $119 |
Tips for successful online comparison shopping
Whether you need full-coverage car insurance or liability-only coverage, comparison shopping is the best way to find an affordable policy. Here are some tips to help make online comparison shopping easier:
Prepare. Gather the basic information you’ll need to get an auto insurance quote, including driver’s license numbers for everyone who will be on the policy, vehicle identification numbers for every vehicle you want covered, and your previous policy coverage limits.
Decide how much coverage you need. If you lease or finance your car, you’ll need to buy comprehensive and collision coverages. If you have an older, paid-off vehicle, you might choose liability-only coverage. But keep in mind insurance professionals recommend buying more than your state’s required minimum. Higher liability insurance limits provide more financial protection in case of an at-fault accident.
Choose a reputable comparison platform. Look for options that provide real-time quotes and don’t sell your data. Avoid lead-generation sites that could result in spam calls, emails, or text messages.
Explore discounts. Most insurers offer discounts for things like being a good driver, paying your premium in full, and vehicle safety features. Teen drivers may benefit from discounts for good grades. You may qualify for multiple money-saving discounts.
Manage your payments. Most insurers require a down payment to initiate a car insurance policy. Be prepared to make that payment, and either pay the balance in full if you can or set up a monthly or quarterly payment plan.
New cars are generally more expensive to insure than older cars because they have higher values and repair costs. Teens drivers, those younger than 25, and drivers with speeding tickets, DUIs, and other infractions on their driving records also tend to pay higher rates.
Factors that affect car insurance rates
Car insurance is a legal requirement in nearly every state. Insurance companies consider many factors when providing your car insurance quotes. Some are within your control, while others aren’t. Here are some key factors that influence car insurance rates:
Location: Where you live tells an insurer a lot about the risks your car may face. Severe weather, high accident rates, or high numbers of vehicle thefts are tied to location.
Age: Teens and young drivers under 25 typically pay higher car insurance rates. Their relative lack of driving experience and high rates of traffic accidents make them riskier to insure. Rates drop after age 25 but can begin to increase again in your senior years as eyesight and reaction times decline.
Gender: Statistically, men get into more car crashes — and more serious crashes — than women. Insurance companies typically charge women lower rates than men.
Vehicle: Vehicle-specific factors, like make and model, age, and safety features, all affect car insurance costs.
Driving history: Drivers with car accidents, speeding, or other violations on their motor vehicle records pose higher claim risks to insurers. If you have a clean driving record, you’re likely to qualify for lower car insurance rates.
Coverage options: Liability-only coverage, also known as minimum coverage, is the cheapest insurance you can buy, while full coverage tends to cost more.
Miles driven per year: The more miles you drive in a year, the greater your risk of getting into an accident. Drivers who log fewer miles generally get better rates. In fact, the concept of pay-per-mile car insurance stems from the idea that motorists who drive less should pay less for car insurance than those who drive more.
Type of car: The more expensive it is to repair or replace a vehicle, the higher your insurance premiums are likely to be. For example, a luxury vehicle will cost more to insure than a modest model. But cars with anti-theft devices and other built-in security features may cost less to insure.
Credit history: Many states allow insurance companies to consider credit history in rating decisions. This is known as credit-based insurance scoring. If you live in one of these states, maintaining a good credit score could help you get the best car insurance rates available to you.
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